Ritter Record: September 2011

Too much fun...

Seriously, we have too much fun. I wish laundry was as much fun, because now I have several large piles staring at me. Oh well, I think this post will be like 4 posts:

Here is proof that we have too much fun... even though it doesn't look very fun. I counted 24 bruises on Levi's legs! (INSANE). This kid bikes and falls, bikes and falls, and never skips a beat. And has warrior bruises to prove it. There never seems to be enough time in the day for him to bike... he is addicted.

Soccer Saturdays are here again! It was Seth's first "real" game -- a couple times I had to stop myself from being one of "those moms" -- you know the crazy out of control cheering moms. Yah, didn't know I would be one, but like I said, it was exciting! (k, it's only exciting if your kid is playing... I doubt most ppl would be that enthralled in a three on three soccer game with 6 year olds...)

Seth showing me his game face (I love him) showing me his inner cheetah:

Practicing with Rory before the game... action shots of the boys, (The bottom two pictures show Seth taking the ball from the other team, he is a really good defensive player), Seth goalie..

Levi looks really old for his soccer group -- sometimes I forget that he is only three... or sometimes I forget at how mature he actually is until he is around other kids his own age (k, that sounded awful ... but it's true...) They have changed up the peewee soccer, and I'm trying to keep an open mind, but it really isn't as much fun for the kids... there are too many drills and not enough games.

Today we biked 20 miles. I'm so tired, but in a good way. The head wind was strong on the way back home, we had to do some reshuffling of children: Levi in the bike trailer with Raya, Seth on the add-a-bike ... and Seth's bike tied onto the bike trailer. Poor Jeff, he was pulling 110 pounds! When Jeff said that we should bike this morning and just see where we would go... I doubt he thought we would be coming home at 4:00.

Picture caption: I got side swiped by a large tumble weed and it was funny ...

Levi potty humor:

Levi had disappeared on me at the library for a minute, but he was easily found by the sound of his yelling: "Mommy I'm pooping!" in the little kids' bathroom.

I tell him that it's fine -- and that I'll come in to check on him in a minute.

I hear the toilet flush and go back in, "Levi, are you done??"

"No, I just didn't like the toilet being full of poop."

-- 3 more flushes later and Levi is yelling, hollering, with much gusto: "MOMMY, I"M DONE!"

-- The librarians at the check stands could hear him.

Last thought: 2 year olds make a lot of messes:

And even bigger... with the assistance of an older brother. Raya and Levi decided to make a fort with their mattresses -- I thought it was pretty cute until I discovered that they were making a fort so they could do art work. Tons of crayons, torn pieces of paper etc in the middle of that fort.

Raya is discovering independence... she decided she needed a new shirt (... and dumping out all of her shirts in her drawer to find the right one...) She.is.so.cute. She almost has the shirt over the head down.

Seth and soccer

Today was the first day that I actually sat down and 100% watched Seth play soccer, like on the side lines not at a distance from the school playground. -- How did he get so good? I never practice with him. I know I'm blinded when it comes to my children, but seriously, Seth showed great ball control. He is so focused too!

It's a huge leap from the casual Saturday get-to-know soccer fun games, to these scrimmage bouts where Seth is fearlessly swiping the ball from kids a head taller than him (it's a K-1st grade team).

A comment from Seth's Montessori teacher resurfaced as I was watching him, that Seth is a leader by example. He knows what to do and is so sure of himself that the other kids just follow his lead.

I LOVE being a soccer mom -- I couldn't contain myself from applauding and cheering on the players. Love, love love.

side note: I brought Levi's bike again to Seth's soccer practice... the older kids with their bikes (I'm guessing they were around 8 years old) couldn't believe that Levi was only 3 -- He even raced one of them (and won....)

More Levi biking pictures

These are more pictures of Levi and his first day bike riding:

The one on the bottom is Levi motioning, "pop a wheelie!"

For Levi's second day on his bike I took him to the skate park. I am so impressed at how quickly he picked up biking (and that he is only 3!). We went with some friends today -- 5 boys between the ages of 3 and 5 on bikes trying to jump the ramps; cute.

Raya was trying to keep up with the boys on her push bike, but decided running up and down the ramps were a more efficient way to keep up. She is already chasing after older guys.

"Rock'n'Roll and Pop A Wheelie!"

That's what Levi said to me after he... dut-dut-da-da (that was a horn noise by the way...):

Rode a two wheeler!!

He immediately started riding on his first try ... and only needed my help a couple more time to stabilize himself when he got on the bike... but after that, he was cruising!! I really couldn't believe it actually.

Pure joy on his face, wind whapping his hair. He loves bike riding. He biked the entire hour Seth was at soccer practice. I love that boy. Good job LEVI!!!

*photo courtesy of my new phone. Seriously so glad to have it -- I was able to take pictures and video Levi's first bike ride! *awesome*

New

I was thinking about how fast this week went by, and then I thought about how many "new" adventures we have started this week -- which led me to this post... and that I should probably make mention of them, so here we go:

On Monday it was the boys' first violin lesson, and my first swim lesson. The boys were a bit disappointed because it was really just an informational meeting and they wanted to start playing. BUT, they met kids that would be in their class and listened to music so it wasn't entirely disappointing. My swimming lesson went really well I think, and I'm hoping by then end that I'll be a confident swimmer. -- Biking, swimming -- all I need to do now is learn how to run (seriously I'm awful at running) and maybe I can do a tri? -- little ambitious but we'll see in a year from now.

Tuesday was Seth's first practice of competitive soccer... he was beyond excited. First thing in the morning he dressed himself in his ankle guards, shin guards, and cleats for his soccer practice that didn't start until 4:00 pm.... it was a long time for him to wait.

Saturday was Levi's soccer practice and he was very keen on showing his moves. He is so cute playing soccer; I just want to cuddle him.

We went to Palouse Days for the first time today, who knew that there was (another) parade, car show, street fair -- But what was really exciting was the little book fair by the public library. I will definitely be going back every year, I got 15 books for $3.75! And I'm a picky book buyer too! There were some really great finds, I was so excited.

I bought my first smartphone today .. I'm lagging a bit, I sent my first text today! (go me!)

Ended the day with transitioning Levi and Raya into more challenging bikes: Levi on a two wheeler and Raya on a push bike. We'll practice more tomorrow, since it started raining....

I am your lullaby;/you are my peekaboo./I am your good-night kiss;/you are my I love you."

Raya is two today. (STOP GROWING. just stop, stay this cuddly sweet mommy's girl forever -- ok?)

Here is Raya sporting her birthday shirt -- 2 cute.

We already had her birthday party, but I wanted to set aside some things that would make the day special.

We had a picnic at the park and fed ducks. They were in large numbers, ravenous and fearless!

Here is Raya opening her birthday book: You Are My Love You

Dear Raya, you are wonderful; I couldn't think of a more ideal daughter. I couldn't think of a better cuddle bug, -- I love how you belt out songs, that you have one freckle on your nose, that you hate things in between your toes, that you say "chicken mommy," (from Milo and Otis...). If I'm ever down or grumpy "the boys" know to give you to me and that I'll cheer right up. I've said this before but, when I was searching for a name for you I came across your name "Raya" and that it meant friend -- the perfect name for you (or for us). Love you Ray!

Rodeo, canoeing, moonlit bike ride.... Loving life.

Life is to be enjoyed (and it sure does make it easier when your kids get a bit older...)
I wish everyday could be like yesterday: laying on the beach, exploring the lake on a canoe, a bike ride around the lake, good food, fun company, 7 mile bike ride with a full moon.
It was lovely.

I only snapped a few pictures when we first got there; it was so scenic!

What do you do with a girl with a face like that? (I can't get over how cute she is sometimes!)

Playing at the beach. The kids spent about an hour (at least) with this log... using it as a surf board or a raft and jumping off of it. And Levi's rolled up shorts were about the cutest thing I've ever seen. He is looking so grown up lately!

On Friday night we went to the rodeo --

I loved watching the excitement on my kids' faces more than the actual events. They were mesmerized with the display of it all.

The backdrop to the rodeo was beautiful I thought.... and I also got a good laugh when after 10 + minutes of devote patriotic display immediately commercialism was introduced (Ram flag).

Snapping a picture to show that I was there... I laughed so hard when I saw Raya's face in the picture to the right. Priceless.

Dear Uncle Todd and Aunt Rachel....

THANK YOU!!!!

The kids have played on it (at least) an hour every day. -- One day last week we had 6 friends over jumping on it with the sprinkler under it, -- they played on it from 10:00 am - 1:30 Pm, and that is only because we coerced them off so we could go swimming. It is much used and much loved. THANKS!